Profile of Sri Lanka-China Buddhist Friendship Association

 

Sri Lanka and China have maintained a strong cordial friendship that spans many centuries. This is further accentuated by the smooth trade of silk and sale of other commodities to the west through trading ports in Ceylon as our isle was then known in ancient times. Trade also allowed Chinese culture to permeate our society and as a result, enduring religious and cultural links were formed with the strengthening of links between the two cultures. Buddhist ties between Sri Lanka and China dates back to the Anuradhapura kingdom where Sri Lanka was visited by Fa-Shien Thero in between 399-412 to acquire Buddhist Texts. His journey is described in his important travelogue, A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms, Being an Account by the Chinese Monk Fa-Xian of his Travels in India and Ceylon in Search of the Buddhist Books of Discipline. Sri Lanka

Buddhists went to China to propagate Buddhism and one of the foremost is Amogskvajra Thero who born in 705 AD and visited China in 720 AD to propagate Buddhism in China. Thus, religious interrelationships between the two countries were formed and this common bond became an influence that brought these two ancient civilizations together. Sri Lanka-China Buddhist Friendship Association (SLCBFA) was inaugurated on 27 th August 2015 in the historical city of Kandy on 27 th  August 2015; in the presence of the Maha Sangha of Sri Lanka that comprised the Most Ven. Galagama Aththadassi Mahanayake Thero , the Chief Prelate of Asgiri Chapter of Siyam Mahanikaya , the Most Ven.Dr.Niayangoda Vijithasiri Thero , the Deputy Chief Prelate of Malwathu Chapter of Siyam Mahanikaya, the Most.Ven.Dr.Ittapane Dhammalankara Thero , the Chief Prelate of Kotte Samadri Sangha Sabhawa, the Most Ven.Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thero, the Chief Priest of the Kotte Sri Nagaviharaya and the Chief Patron of the SLCBFA.

The Most Ven.Ming Sheng Thero – the Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and President of the Guangdong Province Buddhist Association was present with a large delegation of Chinese Buddhists. The SLCBFA has embarked on a journey to develop historical Buddhist friendship between Sri Lanka and China that spans the gulf of time, harkening back to several centuries. This has been a momentous event in the chronicles of history between these two countries and will most certainly enable the fostering of peace and harmony between the two countries with salutary effects throughout the South Asian region.

 

Election of New Office Bearers 

 The following office bearers were elected during the Annual General Meeting of Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association held on the 26^th of November 2022 at 101, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 8.

Office Bearers  

i. The President – Mr.Ajith Dharmawardena

ii. General Secretary – Mr. Aruna Silva

iii. Treasurer – Ms Prabhodhini Marasinghe

iv. Snr. Vice Presidents

1.a. Mr.Susantha Balapatabendi P.C.

v. Vice President – Mr. Rasika Balasuriya Attorney-at-Law

vi. Asst. Secretary – Mr.Gemunu Weerawardena

vii.          Asst. Treasurer – Major (Rtd) K.G.Chandrasiri

viii.        Media Secretary – Mr.Champika Shiran  Nandasena

ix.  Committee members 

1. Mr.Dayananda Kukulewithana
2. Mrs D.S.Dharmawardena
3. Mr.Nalaka Senanayake
4. Dr Hiran Wimalarathne
5. Mr.Dewruk Rajapakshe
6. Mrs.Rasika Madugalle
7. Mr.Diluka Wanasinghe